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Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?

Is there are anyone out there who has compared the Esoteric DV-50 to a number of dedicated red book only players (or other universal's) and found one that is SIGNIFICANTLY better?

I stress significantly because in my humble opinion the redbook playback (if comparison unit is just a cd cd player only )must be significantly better to justify losing DVD-A, SACD and DVD-Video capability.

I keep hearing there are better one box solutions and being a die hard 2 channel fan I would sell my DV-50 if I found a player in the same price range that sounds significantly better. But every time I do an AB comparision to other well respected units the DV-50 has slayed each and every one.

So far, it has eaten the lunch of the Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7, Linn Ikemi, Cairn Fog Vers. 2, Cary 306/300, Arcam DV 27A and CD 33T, Myryad CD 600, etc. It even betters a Sony SCD 777ES/MF Tri-Vista 21 transport/dac combo that I previously owned. I'm only comparing the DV-50 to single box cd or universal players, but I just wanted to mention the Sony/MF combo. I'm sure there are some dac/transport combo's that will handily beat the DV 50.

Some may say that the DV 50 should beat all the above because the of price point ($5,500 vs. average price of $3,000 for the above players). But I disagree since conventional wisdom says that stand alone players (especially with the pedigree of those mentioned above) should produce better redbook than a universal player trying to be a jack of all trades. Only the DV 27A does video plus audio. By the way, I was very impressed with the 27A as just a cd player. Of all the above I would say the Ayre was the best.

Next on my list is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP and the Resolution Audio Opus 21. However, I must tell you I am really impressed with the DV 50 and all the great reviews are absolutely true. I've noticed that many people who are using it or comparing to other players are using the RCA analog outs instead of the balanced outs. There is a significant improvement in sound if you use the balanced outs and I'm only interested in hearing comments from people who have compared it against other players using the balanced outs on the DV-50.

My system components are as follows:

B&W N803's speakers & HTM-1 center
Cary Cinema 5 (5 x 200) amp
Anthem D1 Statement pre/pro
Esoteric DV 50
Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wire
Nirvana SX balanced interconnects from DV-50 to Anthem
Acoustic Zen Matrix reference II interconnects from D1 to Cary
No after market power cords or isolation equipment

My system sounds great! Those who comment please make sure to specify what specific improvements you heard over the DV 50 and what cdp were you comparing it against.

AVGURU
avguru
tgun5's avatar
tgun5
138 posts
 
I will also bring some fine Ohio Pinot Grigio. The islands in Lake Erie have consistently produced some of the finest wine grapes in the world. The weather is considered perfect because of the lake controlled temperature. There is a winery in Sandusky that has produced many gold medal winning wines. The Pinot Grigio is one of them. This winery, Firelands, now owns the island vineyards that were previously owned by Meiers Winery - now owned by Paramount Distillers. Meier's claim to fame was their nationally famous Cold Duck. Firelands now produces many world class wines, and in addition to the Pinot Grigio, they have won awards for their Ice Wine, Walleye White, and Riesling. They bottle under the brands Firelands and Mon Ami.

Should I mention Cigars? HEHE. Too many hobbies, too little money.
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
Tom, the wine sounds like a good idea for later on, after the rigorous comparisons are done and people just want to listen.

I don't allow smoking in the house, although people are free to step outside.
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
Hi Guys its the Doc again. Thought as you kinds wanted the threads to stick to its original intemt, I have a review you might be interetsed in.

I at last managed to get the FULL APL modded sacd, clock, dac etc.

I was able to run it via an isolation transformer to uk 240v. Boy what a difference the isolation transformer made as opposed to a simple step down transformer but thats another story.

I compared it to my highly modified Marantz 8400 tansport, clock, black gates etc etc. with the REIMYO DAP 777.

Absolutely no contest. The APL was superior in every way possible. The best cd player I have ever heard, closer to realism than I have ever heard redbook cd get to.

I do believe however that there is more to be got from the SACD1000. These will be my modifications in the next few weeks and I will report any further improvements.

1)High quality isolation transformer.
2)Exchange all the power cables for silver coated copper in a dielectic sleeve of teflon.
3)Exchange the very thick (?.4mm)silver coated interconnect cables between the DAC /valve output and transformer out puts to .15mm.
4) change the phono outputs to rhodium plated ones and their ?brass interconnects to fine silver coated copper ones.

There are more tweaks but this will do for now.

I am certain that these tweaks will ring out more fine detail, spatial information and aid transparency further.

Luke
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Doc Luke, how many hours of break-in time have you logged on your APL up to now?
Happy tweaking!! Guido
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
Guidocorona

it is near impossible for me to get an apl off alex at the moment because of various circumstances. This one was bought used from audiogon and I had to pay over the top for it, such is the rariry and design for his units. So I believe it must have been fully broken in when I got it. However that might not be so, so i will continue to burn it in before I start modding it.

Luke
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